Logan Reed
Influenza vaccines are especially important for people aged 65 and older, as they are more vulnerable to severe influenza-associated complications and risks. The CDC and ACIP recommend the use of higher-dose flu vaccines or adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccines over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines for this age group. Specifically approved and recommended high-dose vaccines for people 65 and older include Fluzone High-Dose, Fluad Quadrivalent, and Flublok Quadrivalent.
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What You'll Learn
Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent
The use of Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is supported by a randomized efficacy study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study indicated that the trivalent high-dose vaccine was 24% more effective in preventing flu in adults 65 years and older relative to a standard-dose vaccine. In addition, data from immunogenicity studies comparing Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent to the standard-dose vaccine among people 65 years and older indicated that a stronger immune response occurred after vaccination with the high-dose vaccine.
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Flublok Quadrivalent Recombinant
Flublok has been shown to be effective in preventing more flu in older adults when compared to Fluarix (quadrivalent standard-dose vaccine). This is because Flublok contains 3X more hemagglutinin antigen than the standard-dose influenza vaccine, which results in higher antibody production and a greater immune response. In addition, Flublok has been shown to induce significantly higher levels of broadly cross-reactive antibodies when compared to egg-derived vaccines.
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Fluad Quadrivalent
The use of Fluad Quadrivalent may result in some adverse events (AEs), the most common of which, occurring in 10% or more patients aged 65 and above, are injection site pain, headache, and fatigue. However, overall safety findings for Fluad Quadrivalent are similar to those of Fluzone high-dose trivalent influenza vaccines.
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HD-IIV4, RIV4, or aIIV4 vaccines
Influenza vaccines are an important consideration for adults aged 65 and older, as they are more vulnerable to severe influenza-associated complications and risks. The CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend the use of higher-dose flu vaccines or adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccines over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines for this age group.
HD-IIV4, RIV4, and aIIV4 are three types of flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended for adults aged 65 and older. These vaccines have been found to offer more protection and be more effective for this age group when compared to standard-dose influenza vaccines.
HD-IIV4 stands for high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen as a standard-dose influenza vaccine. The additional antigen content is intended to create a greater immune response in recipients. RIV4 stands for recombinant influenza vaccine, quadrivalent, and is a quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine. Both RIV4 and IIV4 vaccines are considered safe and effective for individuals aged 18 to 49 years, according to a recent study. aIIV4 stands for adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine, which is a standard-dose quadrivalent vaccine that contains an adjuvant to help create a stronger immune response.
It is important to note that even if seniors get influenza after vaccination, studies show that they are at a much lower risk of complications than those who are unvaccinated. Additionally, any flu vaccine (approved for your age range) is better than none, so it is recommended to speak with a healthcare professional to determine which vaccine is most suitable for your needs.
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Adjuvanted, inactivated vaccines
Influenza vaccines are especially important for people aged 65 and older, as they are more vulnerable to severe influenza-associated complications and risks. Adjuvanted, inactivated vaccines are one of the three types of vaccines that are preferentially recommended for this age group by the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Fluad is manufactured by Seqirus using an egg-based process and includes a non-aluminum adjuvant called MF59. Studies have shown that Fluad provides greater protection against flu-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits than unadjuvanted standard-dose vaccines. Its use is contraindicated in individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to any vaccine component (e.g. egg proteins) or to any previous dose of an influenza vaccine. The most common adverse events occurring in more than 10% of adults 65 and older in clinical trials were injection-site pain, myalgia, headache, and malaise.
Fluad is one of the flu vaccines specifically formulated for seniors, along with Flublok Quadrivalent Recombinant and Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent. These vaccines have been found to offer more protection and be more effective for people over 65. However, if these vaccines are not available, any age-appropriate flu vaccine is advised, as any flu vaccine (approved for your age range) is better than none.
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Frequently asked questions
The CDC recommends the use of higher-dose flu vaccines for people 65 and older. These include Fluzone High-Dose, Fluad Quadrivalent, and Flublok Quadrivalent.
The vaccines for people 65 and older contain four times the amount of antigen as a standard-dose influenza vaccine. This additional antigen content is intended to create a higher antibody production and a greater immune response in recipients.
The most common side effects of the vaccines for people 65 and older include pain, redness, and headache. These side effects are usually mild and temporary.
September and October are generally good times for people 65 and older to get their flu vaccine.
